HARARE – Former Norton legislator Temba Mliswa has accused Vice President Constantino Chiwenga’s wife, Colonel Miniyothabo Baloyi, of creating parallel structures within the military intelligence system, alleging that her position within the army’s intelligence wing compromises national security.
Speaking on social media on Thursday, Mliswa claimed that Colonel Baloyi, who serves in the Military Intelligence Department (MID), was using her position to advance her husband’s political interests rather than those of the state.
“The problem that we have, which I must say to the nation, is that we also have the wife of the Vice President who is part of the intelligence of the army, which is MID. That being the case, she certainly has interests of her husband,” Mliswa said.
“We know how eager he is to be the President of the country. In so doing, she will serve the interests of her husband and not the country. He is running a parallel structure.”
Mliswa further asserted that the MID Commander, Major General Thomas Moyo, was a “respectful and loyal soldier” who did not tolerate interference, but alleged that the Vice President’s wife continued to operate independently within the intelligence system.
“What is important is that the Commander of MID certainly does not tolerate her. In not tolerating her, she is able to run a parallel structure. You cannot have a parallel structure from a security perspective,” he said.
The outspoken legislator reiterated his previous position that the Vice President’s wife should not hold any intelligence post due to potential conflicts of interest.
“I had already suggested that she cannot be in office being the wife of the Vice President because, already, there is compromise. When people see her, they see the Vice President,” Mliswa added.
His remarks come amid heightened scrutiny of Zimbabwe’s security sector following a series of power outages during major state events, including President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s State of the Nation Address in Parliament on Tuesday.
The blackout, which plunged the New Parliament Building into darkness, prompted Speaker of Parliament Jacob Mudenda to suggest possible sabotage. ZETDC Managing Director Eng. Abel Gurupira has since been suspended pending investigations.
Mliswa said the incident reflected deeper systemic weaknesses and questioned the level of preparedness by the security sector and energy authorities ahead of national events.
“A State of the Nation Address in Parliament cannot be ignored by the security sector. It cannot be ignored by the Minister of Energy. There is always an advanced team to ensure that everything is in order. So why was this not done?” he asked.
There are suggestions from leaked audios that Mliswa was paid to fight VP Chiwenga while advancing the cause of the Zanu PF faction that wants to extend Mnangagwa’s term in office from 2028 to 2030 and then have tenderpreneur Kudakwashe Tagwirei take over after.
